The Aiken Manor is located in Franklin, New Hampshire. It is just across the street from Webster Lake, which is unique for this property because it provides part of the property with a lakefront space. The manor is relatively new, having opened in 2019. There are three suites in the building, each with different decorations and layouts. The property generally consists of grassy areas, bushes, and small trees. While at the property, guests are free to use a variety of features that are on the grounds, including the fire pits and BBQs that are provided or the screened-in gazebo that is on the lakefront.
A short distance west of Franklin, New Hampshire, sits the property called the Aiken Manor. The building is a two-story 1800s home with additional structures for parking. Behind the property, there's a thick cluster of trees that form a kind of wall. There are around five acres of grassy property that comprise the surrounding land. Bushes, small trees, and other greenery adorn the porches and sides of the Aiken Manor. There's a road that separates the property from Webster Lake, though there's land on both sides of the street that belongs to the premises. A screened-in gazebo rests at the lakefront, and guests are free to use it at their leisure. There are also fire pits and BBQs on the property, one of which is designed to be accommodating to larger groups who want to form a gathering during their stay. Kayaks are available for guests who wish to participate in some water activity.
Within the manor, guests will find three rooms: The Library Suite, Lake View Room, and the Daniel Webster Room. The Library Suite contains built-in bookcases that were constructed in the 1800s. Additionally, it has some of the flooring used in the original construction. The Daniel Webster Room is named after a man by the same name who owned a houseboat in the area. Webster Lake is also named after him. Some general features and amenities of Aiken Manor include private bathrooms, private entrances, bathrobes, refrigerators, televisions, WiFi, shampoo, and coffee. Another feature that visitors to the manor receive as part of their stay is a complimentary breakfast. These breakfasts are usually made up of omelets, fresh fruit, chocolate-covered strawberries, and handmade pastries. The Aiken Manor is open year-round, and due to its short period in operation, the owners are unclear regarding what might be their busy season. In 2020, the summer was their highest period of occupancy, though, considering the COVID-19 conditions, this may not be an accurate reflection of how their business will fluctuate moving forward.
There are many locally-owned restaurants within 30 minutes of the manor, including the Casamigos Mexican Bar & Grill, Hart's Turkey Farm, and the Homestead Restaurant. Local attractions typically involve things such as wineries, lakeside activities, art centers, and antique shops. The snow in New Hampshire allows for skiing and snowboarding at nearby resorts.
One of the owners of the Aiken Manor is Yvonne Hobbs, who runs the day-to-day operations of the property with her husband and co-owner Warren. Yvonne comes from Switzerland, and her European hospitality is one of the most considerable cultural aspects of the Aiken Manor. She has had many people tell her that her property reminds them of other lodging enterprises they have visited in Europe. Yvonne explains that she doesn't put forth any specific effort to bring that to pass; she merely acts as she would naturally.
Despite the manor's short time in operation, Yvonne has already received a small handful of reviews pertaining to her warm hospitality. One guest gave the following remarks: " I have traveled extensively and can attest that Yvonne is an exceptional hostess. She provided that perfect balance of attention: available to chat when we needed her while simultaneously respecting our privacy." Another guest said, "When we arrived, we were greeted by the innkeeper, Yvonne, who was a great pleasure to get to know. She obviously loved her job as she cheerfully tended our every need. Her cooking was excellent. Breakfast was better than at a 5-star hotel." Yvonne has also had many people say that her presentation at breakfast (setting the table, appearance of the food, etc.) is akin to a 5-star hotel. This might be attributed to her many years in the restaurant business. Warren and Yvonne co-owned a restaurant for 27 years before purchasing the Aiken Manor. Apart from the innkeepers, the property's charm comes from its extensive grounds and lakefront equipment. Many people decide to forego day trips, opting instead to lounge around the manor and Webster Lake. "Everyone seems to love it here," Yvonne says. The architecture of the home is a stark contrast to the construction styles used in the twenty-first century. In particular, the crown molding draws the attention of many guests.
The Aiken Manor has only been operating as a bed and breakfast since 2019, though the building itself dates back to the mid-1800s. It was constructed by Jonas Aiken (for whom the property is named), who was a renowned inventor. He is perhaps most famous for inventing certain components of the first locomotive and for his collaborations with other notable scientists of the time. In fact, Jonas hosted other inventors in his home. Some of the most famous visitors to his property included Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone. Though the property maintains much of its historical value today, renovations have been made to preserve original floors, bookcases, and wallpaper designs. Currently, the manor is under the direct ownership and management of Yvonne and Warren Hobbs, who converted the home into a bed and breakfast in 2019. They had both been working as restaurant owners for 27 years and desired a change of pace. Both of them have received formal culinary training—Yvonne in Switzerland and Warren in the Culinary Institute of America in Poughkeepsie, New York.
296 Webster Lake Road
Franklin, New Hampshire 3235
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Yvonne & Warren Hobbs
